Central Arizona College vs. Estrella Mountain Community College

Comparable Facts

Compare Central Arizona College in Coolidge, AZ with Estrella Mountain Community College in Avondale, AZ on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Estrella Mountain Community College is larger than Central Arizona College based on total student enrollment (10,109 students vs. 5,053 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central Arizona College is located in Coolidge, AZ (Distant Rural setting); Estrella Mountain Community College is in Avondale, AZ (Small Suburban setting).
• Central Arizona College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Estrella Mountain Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central Arizona College 15:1; Estrella Mountain Community College 25:1.

Central Arizona College vs. Estrella Mountain Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central Arizona College or Estrella Mountain Community College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Central Arizona College than Estrella Mountain Community College ($5,544 vs. $13,003).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Arizona College are 19.2% lower than at Estrella Mountain Community College ($8,786 vs. $10,872).
• Estrella Mountain Community College is 4.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central Arizona College (about $108 more per year; $2,358.00 vs. $2,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 99.1% higher at Estrella Mountain Community College than at Central Arizona College (about $4,458 more per year; $8,958.00 vs. $4,500.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central Arizona College than at Estrella Mountain Community College (74% vs. 70%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Central Arizona College students is 11.5% larger than aid received by Estrella Mountain Community College students ($5,325 vs. $4,777).

Central Arizona College vs. Estrella Mountain Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central Arizona College or Estrella Mountain Community College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Estrella Mountain Community College and Central Arizona College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central Arizona College - Open admission; Estrella Mountain Community College - Open admission.

Central Arizona College vs. Estrella Mountain Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central Arizona College and Estrella Mountain Community College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Estrella Mountain Community College earn a median of about $3,900 more per year than Central Arizona College graduates about ten years after starting college ($35,600 vs. $31,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Estrella Mountain Community College graduates have a $2,427 lower median loan debt than Central Arizona College graduates ($7,073 vs. $9,500).
• Among borrowers, Estrella Mountain Community College graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central Arizona College graduates ($73 vs. $98).
• More Estrella Mountain Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Central Arizona College students, three years after graduation. (32% vs. 26%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.